Immunogenic composition

ABSTRACT

present application discloses an immunogenic composition comprising N. meningitidis capsular polysaccharides from at least one of serogroups A, C, W135 and Y conjugated to a carrier protein to produce a N. meningitidis capsular polysaccharide conjugate, wherein the average size of each N. meningitidis polysaccharide is above 50 kDa.

The present invention relates to immunogenic compositions comprising N.meningitidis capsular polysaccharides conjugated to a carrier protein.It additionally relates to vaccines and vaccine kits comprising N.meningitidis polysaccharide conjugates, processes for making theimmunogenic compositions and vaccines and the use of the vaccines andimmunogenic compositions of the invention in therapy. It also relates tomethods of immunising against Neisserial infection using the N.meningitidis polysaccharide conjugates and the use of N. meningitidispolysaccharide conjugates in the manufacture of a medicament.

Neisseria meningitidis is a Gram-negative human pathogen which causesbacterial meningitis. Based on the organism's capsular polysaccharide,twelve serogroups of N. meningitidis have been identified (A, B, C, H,I, K, L, 29E, W135, X, Y and Z). Serogroup A (MenA) is the most commoncause of epidemic disease in sub-Saharan Africa. Serogroups B and C areresponsible for the majority of cases in developing countries, with theremaining cases being caused by W135 and Y).

Immunogenic compositions comprising N. meningitidis saccharidesconjugated to carrier proteins are known in the art. For instance WO02/58737 discloses a vaccine comprising purified capsularpolysaccharides from N. meningitidis serogroups A, C, W135 and Yconjugated to a carrier protein. However, this application teaches thatthe extracted N. meningitidis capsular polysaccharides should bedepolymerised by heating in a hydrogen peroxide solution beforeconjugation.

WO 03/07985 discloses conjugate vaccines comprising N. meningitidissaccharide selected from serogroups A, C, W135 and Y. The meningococcalcapsular polysaccharides are extracted and then hydrolysed so that aselection of oligosaccharides derived from the capsular polysaccharidesare used for conjugation to a carrier protein.

WO 04/103400 also discloses multivalent meningococcal derivedpolysaccharide-protein conjugate containing capsular polysaccharidesderived from N. meningitidis serogroups A, C, W135 and Y. Thisapplication teaches that, instead of using the large native capsularpolysaccharide, the use of meningococcal polysaccharides of a smallersize is preferred. It suggests that capsular polysaccharides arepartially depolymerised using mild oxidative conditions to give anaverage size of less than 100,000 daltons, preferably 12,000 to 25,000daltons.

There remains a need to develop improved conjugate vaccines againstneisserial meningitis. The present invention concerns the provision of ameningococcal polysaccharide conjugate vaccine in which the size of thepolysaccharides is larger than that taught in the literature. The focusof the art has been to use oligosaccharides for ease of conjugateproduction. The inventors has found that by using native or slightlysized polysaccharide conjugates, one or more of the following advantagesmay be realised: 1) a conjugate having high immunogenicity which isfilterable; 2) immune memory may be enhanced (as in example three); 3)the alteration of the ratio of polysaccharide to protein in theconjugate such that the ratio of polysaccharide to protein (w/w) in theconjugate may be increased (this can result in a reduction of thecarrier suppression effect); 4) immunogenic conjugates prone tohydrolysis (such as MenA conjugates) may be stabilised by the use oflarger polysaccharides for conjugation. The use of largerpolysaccharides can result in more cross-linking with the conjugatecarrier and therefore less cleavage of free saccharide from theconjugate. The conjugate vaccines described in the prior art tend todepolymerise the polysaccharides prior to conjugation in order toimprove conjugation. The present invention is directed to a differentstrategy and surprisingly shows that meningococcal conjugate vaccinesretaining a larger size of polysaccharide provide a good immune responseagainst meningococcal disease.

Accordingly, in one aspect of the present invention there is provided animmunogenic composition comprising N. meningitidis capsularpolysaccharides from at least one, two, three or four of serogroups A,C, W and Y conjugated to a carrier protein, wherein the mean size ofeach N. meningitidis polysaccharide is above 50 kDa, 75 kDa, 100 kDa,110 kDa, 120 kDa or 130 kDa.

According to a further aspect or the invention there is provided avaccine comprising the immunogenic composition of the invention and apharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

According to a further aspect or the invention there is provided avaccine kit for concomitant or sequential administration comprising twomulti-valent immunogenic compositions for conferring protection in ahost against disease caused by Bordetella pertussis, Clostridium tetani,Corynebacterium diphtherias, Haemophilus influenzae and Neisseriameningitidis, said kit comprising a first container comprising:

-   -   tetanus toxoid (TT),    -   diphtheria toxoid (DT), and    -   wholecell or acellular pertussis components

and a second container comprising:

-   -   N. meningitidis capsular polysaccharides from at least one, two,        three or four of serogroups A, C, W and Y conjugated to a        carrier protein, wherein the average size of the or each N.        meningitidis polysaccharide is above 50 kDa, 75 kDa, 100 kDa,        110 kDa, 120 kDa or 130 kDa.

According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided aprocess for making the immunogenic composition or vaccine of theinvention comprising the step of mixing N. meningitidis capsularpolysaccharides from at least one, two, three or four of serogroups A,C, W and Y conjugated to a carrier protein, optionally with apharmaceutically acceptable excipient, wherein the average size of theor each N. meningitidis polysaccharide is above 50 kDa, 75 kDa, 100 kDa,110 kDa, 120 kDa or 130 kDa.

According to a further aspect or the invention there is provided amethod of immunising a human host against disease caused by Neisseriameningitidis comprising administering to the host an immunoprotectivedose of the immunogenic composition or vaccine of the invention.

According to a further aspect or the invention there is provided animmunogenic composition of the invention for use in the treatment orprevention of disease caused by Neisseria meningitidis.

According to a further aspect or the invention there is provided a useof the immunogenic composition or vaccine of the invention in themanufacture of a medicament for the treatment or prevention of diseasescaused by Neisseria meningitidis.

DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

FIG. 1A. Bar chart showing GMC responses in an anti-MenY ELISA. ENYTT012is a MenY-TT conjugate prepared from native MenY polysaccharide.ENYTT014 is a MenY-TT conjugate prepared from microfluidised MenYpolysaccharide which had undergone 40 cycles of microfluidisation.ENYTT015bis is a MenY-TT conjugate prepared from microfluidised MenYpolysaccharide which had undergone 20 cycles of microfluidisation.

FIG. 1B. Bar chart showing GMT responses in an anti-MenY SBA assay.ENYTT012 is a MenY-TT conjugate prepared from native MenYpolysaccharide. ENYTT014 is a MenY-TT conjugate prepared frommicrofluidised MenY polysaccharide which had undergone 40 cycles ofmicrofluidisation. ENYTT015bis is a MenY-TT conjugate prepared frommicrofluidised MenY polysaccharide which had undergone 20 cycles ofmicrofluidisation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

An immunogenic composition of the invention comprises N. meningitidiscapsular polysaccharides from at least one, two, three or four ofserogroups A, C, W and Y conjugated to a carrier protein, wherein theaverage size (weight-average molecular weight; Mw) of at least one, two,three or four or each N. meningitidis polysaccharide is above 50 kDa, 60kDa, 75 kDa, 100 kDa, 110 kDa, 120 kDa or 130 kDa.

In an independent aspect of the invention, the immunogenic compositioncomprises N. meningitidis capsular polysaccharides from at least one,two, three or four of serogroups A, C, W and Y conjugated to a carrierprotein, wherein at least one, two, three or four or each N.meningitidis polysaccharide is either a native polysaccharide or issized by a factor up to ×1.5, ×2, ×3, ×4, ×5, ×6, ×7, ×8, ×9 or ×10relative to the weight average molecular weight of the nativepolysaccharide.

For the purposes of the invention, “native polysaccharide” refers to apolysaccharide that has not been subjected to a process, the purpose ofwhich is to reduce the size of the polysaccharide. A polysaccharide canbecome slightly reduced in size during normal purification procedures.Such a polysaccharide is still native. Only if the polysaccharide hasbeen subjected to sizing techniques would the polysaccharide not beconsidered native.

For the purposes of the invention, “sized by a factor up to ×2” meansthat the polysaccharide is subject to a process intended to reduce thesize of the polysaccharide but to retain a size more than half the sizeof the native polysaccharide. ×3, ×4 etc. are to be interpreted in thesame way i.e. the polysaccharide is subject to a process intended toreduce the size of the polysaccharide but to retain a size more than athird, a quarter etc. the size of the native polysacchariderespectively.

In an aspect of the invention, the immunogenic composition comprises N.meningitidis capsular polysaccharides from at least one, two, three orfour of serogroups A, C, W and Y conjugated to a carrier protein,wherein at least one, two, three or four or each N. meningitidispolysaccharide is native polysaccharide.

In an aspect of the invention, the immunogenic composition comprises N.meningitidis capsular polysaccharides from at least one, two, three orfour of serogroups A, C, W and Y conjugated to a carrier protein,wherein at least one, two, three or four or each N. meningitidispolysaccharide is sized by a factor up to ×1.5, ×2, ×3, ×4, ×5, ×6, ×7,×8, ×9 or ×10.

The immunogenic compositions of the invention optionally compriseconjugates of: N. meningitidis serogroup C capsular polysaccharide(MenC), serogroup A capsular polysaccharide (MenA), serogroup W135capsular polysaccharide (MenW), serogroup Y capsular polysaccharide(MenY), serogroup C and Y capsular polysaccharides (MenCY), serogroup Cand A capsular polysaccharides (MenAC), serogroup C and W capsularpolysaccharides (MenCW), serogroup A and Y capsular polysaccharide(MenAY), serogroup A and W capsular polysaccharides (MenAW), serogroup Wand Y capsular polysaccharides (Men WY), serogroup A, C and W capsularpolysaccharide (MenACW), serogroup A, C and Y capsular polysaccharides(MenACY); serogroup A, W135 and Y capsular polysaccharides (MenAWY),serogroup C, W135 and Y capsular polysaccharides (MenCWY); or serogroupA, C, W135 and Y capsular polysaccharides (MenACWY). This is thedefinition of “one, two, three or four”, or “at least one of” ofserogroups A, C, W and Y, or of each N. meningitidis polysaccharidewhere mentioned herein

In an embodiment, the average size (or molecular weight) of at leastone, two, three, four or each N. meningitidis polysaccharide is 50KDa-1500 kDa, 50 kDa-500 kDa, 50 kDa-300 KDa, 101 kDa-1500 kDa, 101kDa-500 kDa, or 101 kDa-300 kDa as determined by MALLS.

In an embodiment, the MenA polysaccharide, where present, has amolecular weight of 50-500 kDa, 50-100 kDa, 100-500 kDa, 55-90 KDa,60-70 kDa or 70-80 kDa or 60-80 kDa as determined by MALLS.

In an embodiment, the MenC polysaccharide, where present, has amolecular weight of 100-200 kDa, 50-100 kDa, 100-150 kDa, 101-130 kDa,150-210 kDa or 180-210 kDa as determined by MALLS.

In an embodiment the MenY polysaccharide, where present, has a molecularweight of 60-190 kDa, 70-180 kDa, 80-170 kDa, 90-160 kDa, 100-150 kDa or110-140 kDa, 50-100 kDa, 100-140 kDa, 140-170 kDa or 150-160 kDa asdetermined by MALLS.

In an embodiment the MenW polysaccharide, where present, has a molecularweight of 60-190 kDa, 70-180 kDa, 80-170 kDa, 90-160 kDa, 100-150 kDa,110-140 kDa, 50-100 kDa or 120-140 kDa as determined by MALLS.

The molecular weight or average molecular weight of a polysaccharideherein refers to the weight-average molecular weight (Mw) of thepolysaccharide measured prior to conjugation and is measured by MALLS.

The MALLS technique is well known in the art and is typically carriedout as described in example 2. For MALLS analysis of meningococcalsaccharides, two columns (TSKG6000 and 5000PWxl TOSOH Bioscience) may beused in combination and the saccharides are eluted in water. Saccharidesare detected using a light scattering detector (for instance Wyatt DawnDSP equipped with a 10 mW argon laser at 488 nm) and an inferometricrefractometer (for instance Wyatt Otilab DSP equipped with a P100 celland a red filter at 498 nm).

In an embodiment the N. meningitidis polysaccharides are nativepolysaccharides or native polysaccharides which have reduced in sizeduring a normal extraction process.

In an embodiment, the N. meningitidis polysaccharides are sized bymechanical cleavage, for instance by microfluidisation or sonication.Microfluidisation and sonication have the advantage of decreasing thesize of the larger native polysaccharides sufficiently to provide afilterable conjugate. Sizing is by a factor of no more than ×20, ×10,×8, ×6, ×5, ×4, ×3, ×2 or ×1.5.

In an embodiment, the immunogenic composition comprises N. meningitidisconjugates that are made from a mixture of native polysaccharides andpolysaccharides that are sized by a factor of no more than ×20. Forexample, polysaccharides from MenC and/or MenA are native. For example,polysaccharides from MenY and/or MenW are sized by a factor of no morethan ×20, ×10, ×8, ×6, ×5, ×4, ×3, ×2 or ×1.5. For example, animmunogenic composition contains a conjugate made from MenY and/or MenWand/or MenC and/or MenA which is sized by a factor of no more then ×20,×10, ×8, ×6, ×5, ×4, ×3, ×2 or ×1.5 and/or is microfluidised. Forexample, an immunogenic composition contains a conjugate made fromnative MenA and/or MenC and/or MenW and/or MenY. For example, animmunogenic composition comprises a conjugate made from native MenC. Forexample, an immunogenic composition comprises a conjugate made fromnative MenC and MenA which is sized by a factor of no more than ×20,×10, ×8, ×6, ×5, ×4, ×3, ×2 or ×1.5 and/or is microfluidised. Forexample, an immunogenic composition comprises a conjugate made fromnative MenC and MenY which is sized by a factor of no more than ×20,×10, ×8, ×6, ×5, ×4, ×3, ×2 or ×1.5 and/or is microfluidised.

In an embodiment, the polydispersity of the polysaccharide is 1-1.5,1-1.3, 1-1.2, 1-1.1 or 1-1.05 and after conjugation to a carrierprotein, the polydispersity of the conjugate is 1.0-2.5, 1.0-2.0.1.0-1.5, 1.0-1.2, 1.5-2.5, 1.7-2.2 or 1.5-2.0. All polydispersitymeasurements are by MALLS.

Polysaccharides are optionally sized up to 1.5, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14,16, 18 or 20 times from the size of the polysaccharide isolated frombacteria.

In an embodiment, the immunogenic composition of the invention furthercomprises an antigen from N. meningitidis serogroup B. The antigen isoptionally a capsular polysaccharide from N. meningitidis serogroup B(MenB) or a sized polysaccharide or oligosaccharide derived therefrom.The antigen is optionally an outer membrane vesicle preparation from N.meningitidis serogroup B as described in EP301992, 01/09350, 04/14417,04/14418 and 04/14419.

In an embodiment, the immunogenic composition of the invention furthercomprises a H. influenzae b (Hib) capsular saccharide conjugated to acarrier protein.

The N. meningitidis polysaccharide(s) (and optionally Hib capsularsaccharide) included in pharmaceutical compositions of the invention areconjugated to a carrier protein such as tetanus toxoid, tetanus toxoidfragment C, non-toxic mutants of tetanus toxin, diphtheria toxoid,CRM197, other non-toxic mutants of diphtheria toxin [such as CRM176, CRM197, CRM228, CRM 45 (Uchida et al J. Biol. Chem. 218; 3838-3844, 1973);CRM 9, CRM 45, CRM102, CRM 103 and CRM107 and other mutations describedby Nicholls and Youle in Genetically Engineered Toxins, Ed: Frankel,Maecel Dekker Inc, 1992; deletion or mutation of Glu-148 to Asp, Gln orSer and/or Ala 158 to Gly and other mutations disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.4,709,017 or U.S. Pat. No. 4,950,740; mutation of at least one or moreresidues Lys 516, Lys 526, Phe 530 and/or Lys 534 and other mutationsdisclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,917,017 or U.S. Pat. No. 6,455,673; orfragment disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,843,711], pneumococcalpneumolysin, OMPC (meningococcal outer membrane protein—usuallyextracted from N. meningitidis serogroup B-EP0372501), syntheticpeptides (EP0378881, EP0427347), heat shock proteins (WO 93/17712, WO94/03208), pertussis proteins (WO 98/58668, EP0471177), cytokines,lymphokines, growth factors or hormones (WO 91/01146), artificialproteins comprising multiple human CD4+ T cell epitopes from variouspathogen derived antigens (Falugi et al (2001) Eur J Immunol 31;3816-3824) such as N19 protein (Baraldoi et al (2004) Infect Immun 72;4884-7) pneumococcal surface protein PspA (WO 02/091998) pneumolysin(Kuo et al (1995) Infect Immun 63; 2706-13), iron uptake proteins (WO01/72337), toxin A or B of C. difficile (WO 00/61761) or Protein D(EP594610 and WO 00/56360).

In an embodiment, the immunogenic composition of the invention uses thesame carrier protein (independently) in at least two, three, four oreach of the N. meningitidis polysaccharides. In an embodiment where Hibis present, Hib may be conjugated to the same carrier protein as the atleast one, two, three, four or each of the N. meningitidispolysaccharides. For example, 1, 2, 3 or 4 of the N. meningitidispolysaccharides are independently conjugated to tetanus toxoid to make1, 2, 3 or 4 conjugates.

In an embodiment, a single carrier protein may carry more than onesaccharide antigen (WO 04/083251). For example, a single carrier proteinmight be conjugated to MenA and MenC; MenA and MenW; MenA and MenY; MenCand MenW; MenC and MenY; Men W and MenY; MenA, MenC and MenW; MenA, MenCand MenY; MenA, MenW and MenY; MenC, MenW and MenY; MenA, MenC, MenW andMenY; Hib and MenA; Hib and MenC; Hib and MenW; or Hib and MenY.

In an embodiment, the immunogenic composition of the invention comprisesa N. meningitidis polysaccharide conjugated to a carrier proteinselected from the group consisting of TT, DT, CRM197, fragment C of TTand protein D.

In an embodiment, the immunogenic composition of the invention comprisesa Hib saccharide conjugated to a carrier protein selected from the groupconsisting of TT, DT, CRM197, fragment C of TT and protein D.

The immunogenic composition of the invention optionally comprises atleast one meningococcal saccharide (for example MenA; MenC; MenW; MenY;MenA amd MenC; MenA and MenW; MenA and MenY; MenC and Men W; Men C andMenY; Men W and MenY; MenA, MenC and MenW; MenA, MenC and MenY; MenA,MenW and MwnY; MenC, MenW and MenY or MenA, MenC, MenW and MenY)conjugate having a ratio of Men saccharide to carrier protein of between1:5 and 5:1, between 1:2 and 5:1, between 1:0.5 and 1:2.5 or between1:1.25 and 1:2.5 (w/w).

The immunogenic composition of the invention optionally comprises a Hibsaccharide conjugate having a ratio of Hib to carrier protein of between1:5 and 5:1; 1:2 and 2:1; 1:1 and 1:4; 1:2 and 1:3.5; or around orexactly 1:2.5 or 1:3 (w/w). By ‘around’ it is meant within 10% of thestated ratio.

The ratio of saccharide to carrier protein (w/w) in a conjugate may bedetermined using the sterilized conjugate. The amount of protein isdetermined using a Lowry assay (for example Lowry et al (1951) J. Biol.Chem. 193, 265-275 or Peterson et al Analytical Biochemistry 100,201-220 (1979)) and the amount of saccharide is determined using ICP-OES(inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectroscopy) for MenA,DMAP assay for MenC and Resorcinol assay for MenW and MenY (Monsigny etal (1988) Anal. Biochem. 175, 525-530).

In an embodiment, the immunogenic composition of the invention the N.meningitidis polysaccharide(s) and/or the Hib saccharide is conjugatedto the carrier protein via a linker, for instance a bifunctional linker.The linker is optionally heterobifunctional or homobifunctional, havingfor example a reactive amino group and a reactive carboxylic acid group,2 reactive amino groups or two reactive carboxylic acid groups. Thelinker has for example between 4 and 20, 4 and 12, 5 and 10 carbonatoms. A possible linker is ADH. Other linkers include B-propionamido(WO 00/10599), nitrophenyl-ethylamine (Geyer et al (1979) Med.Microbiol. Immunol. 165; 171-288), haloalkyl halides (U.S. Pat. No.4,057,685), glycosidic linkages (U.S. Pat. No. 4,673,574, U.S. Pat. No.4,808,700), hexane diamine and 6-aminocaproic acid (U.S. Pat. No.4,459,286).

The polysaccharide conjugates present in the immunogenic compositions ofthe invention may be prepared by any known coupling technique. Theconjugation method may rely on activation of the saccharide with1-cyano-4-dimethylamino pyridinium tetrafluoroborate (CDAP) to form acyanate ester. The activated saccharide may thus be coupled directly orvia a spacer (linker) group to an amino group on the carrier protein.For example, the spacer could be cystamine or cysteamine to give athiolated polysaccharide which could be coupled to the carrier via athioether linkage obtained after reaction with a maleimide-activatedcarrier protein (for example using GMBS) or a holoacetylated carrierprotein (for example using iodoacetimide or N-succinimidylbromoacetatebromoacetate). Optionally, the cyanate ester (optionallymade by CDAP chemistry) is coupled with hexane diamine or ADH and theamino-derivatised saccharide is conjugated to the carrier protein usingusing carbodiimide (e.g. EDAC or EDC) chemistry. Such conjugates aredescribed in PCT published application WO 93/15760 Uniformed ServicesUniversity and WO 95/08348 and WO 96/29094.

Other suitable techniques use carbiinides, hydrazides, active esters,norborane, p-nitrobenzoic acid, N-hydroxysuccinimide, S-NHS, EDC, TSTU.Many are described in WO 98/42721. Conjugation may involve a carbonyllinker which may be formed by reaction of a free hydroxyl group of thesaccharide with CDI (Bethell et al J. Biol. Chem. 1979, 254; 2572-4,Hearn et al J. Chromatogr. 1981. 218; 509-18) followed by reaction ofwith a protein to form a carbamate linkage. This may involve reductionof the anomeric terminus to a primary hydroxyl group, optionalprotection/deprotection of the primary hydroxyl group′ reaction of theprimary hydroxyl group with CDI to form a CDI carbamate intermediate andcoupling the CDI carbamate intermediate with an amino group on aprotein.

The conjugates can also be prepared by direct reductive aminationmethods as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,365,170 (Jennings) and U.S. Pat.No. 4,673,574 (Anderson). Other methods are described in EP-0-161-188,EP-208375 and EP-0-477508.

A further method involves the coupling of a cyanogen bromide (or CDAP)activated saccharide derivatised with adipic acid hydrazide (ADH) to theprotein carrier by Carbodiimide condensation (Chu C. et al Infect.Immunity, 1983 245 256), for example using EDAC.

In an embodiment, a hydroxyl group (optionally an activated hydroxylgroup for example a hydroxyl group activated by a cyanate ester) on asaccharide is linked to an amino or carboxylic group on a protein eitherdirectly or indirectly (through a linker). Where a linker is present, ahydroxyl group on a saccharide is optionally linked to an amino group ona linker, for example by using CDAP conjugation. A further amino groupin the linker for example ADH) may be conjugated to a carboxylic acidgroup on a protein, for example by using carbodiimide chemistry, forexample by using EDAC. In an embodiment, the Hib or N. meningitidiscapsular polysaccharide(s) is conjugated to the linker first before thelinker is conjugated to the carrier protein.

In an embodiment, the Hib saccharide, where present, is conjugated tothe carrier protein using CNBr, or CDAP, or a combination of CDAP andcarbodiimide chemistry (such as EDAC), or a combination of CNBr andcarbodiimide chemistry (such as EDAC). Optionally Hib is conjugatedusing CNBr and carbodiimide chemistry, optionally EDAC. For example,CNBr is used to join the saccharide and linker and then carbodiimidechemistry is used to join linker to the protein carrier.

In an embodiment, at least one of the N. meningitidis capsularpolysaccharides is directly conjugated to a carrier protein; optionallyMen W and/or MenY and/or MenC saccharide(s) is directly conjugated to acarrier protein. For example MenW; MenY; MenC; MenW and MenY; MenW andMenC; MenY and MenC; or MenW, MenY and MenC are directly linked to thecarrier protein. Optionally the at least one of the N. meningitidiscapsular polysaccharides is directly conjugated by CDAP. For exampleMenW; MenY; MenC; MenW and MenY; MenW and MenC; MenY and MenC; or MenW,MenY and MenC are directly linked to the carrier protein by CDAP (see WO95/08348 and WO 96/29094). In an embodiment, all N. meningitidiscapsular polysaccharides are conjugated to tetanus toxoid.

Optionally the ratio of Men W and/or Y saccharide to carrier protein isbetween 1:0.5 and 1:2 (w/w) and/or the ratio of MenC saccharide tocarrier protein is between 1:0.5 and 1:4 or 1:1.25-1:1.5 or 1:0.5 and1:1.5 (w/w), especially where these saccharides are directly linked tothe protein, optionally using CDAP.

In an embodiment, at least one of the N. meningitidis capsularpolysaccharide(s) is conjugated to the carrier protein via a linker, forinstance a bifunctional linker. The linker is optionallyheterobifunctional or homobifunctional, having for example a reactiveamine group and a reative carboxylic acid group, 2 reactive amine groupsor 2 reactive carboxylic acid groups. The linker has for example between4 and 20, 4 and 12, 5 and 10 carbon atoms. A possible linker is ADH.

In an embodiment, MenA; MenC; or MenA and MenC is conjugated to acarrier protein (for example tetanus toxoid) via a linker.

In an embodiment, at least one N. meningitidis polysaccharide isconjugated to a carrier protein via a linker using CDAP and EDAC. Forexample, MenA; MenC; or MenA and MenC are conjugated to a protein via alinker (for example those with two hydrozino groups at its ends such asADH) using CDAP and EDAC as described above. For example, CDAP is usedto conjugate the saccharide to a linker and EDAC is used to conjugatethe linker to a protein. Optionally the conjugation via a linker resultsin a ratio of polysaccharide to carrier protein of of between 1:0.5 and1:6; 1:1 and 1:5 or 1:2 and 1:4, for MenA; MenC; or MenA and MenC.

In an embodiment, the MenA capsular polysaccharide, where present is isat least partially O-acetylated such that at least 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%,90%, 95% or 98% of the repeat units are O-acetylated at at least oneposition. O-acetylation is for example present at least at the O-3position of at least 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%, 95% or 98% of the repeatunits.

In an embodiment, the MenC capsular polysaccharide, where present is isat least partially O-acetylated such that at least 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%,70%, 80%, 90%, 95% or 98% of (α2→9)-linked NeuNAc repeat units areO-acetylated at at least one or two positions. O-acetylation is forexample present at the O-7 and/or O-8 position of at least 30%. 40%,50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%, 95% or 98% of the repeat units.

In an embodiment, the MenW capsular polysaccharide, where present is isat least partially O-acetylated such that at least 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%,70%, 80%, 90%, 95% or 98% of the repeat units are O-acetylated at atleast one or two positions. O-acetylation is for example present at theO-7 and/or O-9 position of at least 30%. 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%,95% or 98% of the repeat units.

In an embodiment, the MenY capsular polysaccharide, where present is atleast partially O-acetylated such that at least 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%,70%, 80%, 90%, 95% or 98% of the repeat units are O-acetylated at atleast one or two positions. O-acetylation is present at the 7 and/or 9position of at least 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%, 95% or 98%of the repeat units.

The percentage of O-acetylation refers to the percentage of the repeatunits containing O-acetylation. This may be measured in thepolysaccharide prior to conjugate and/or after conjugation.

In a further embodiment, the immunogenic composition of the inventioncomprises a Hib saccharide conjugate and at least two N. meningitidispolysaccharide conjugates wherein the Hib conjugate is present in alower saccharide dose than the mean saccharide dose of the at least twoN. meningitidis polysaccharide conjugates. Alternatively, the Hibconjugate is present in a lower saccharide dose than the saccharide doseof each of the at least two N. meningitidis polysaccharide conjugates.For example, the dose of the Hib conjugate may be at least 10%, 20%,30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70% or 80% lower than the mean or lowest saccharidedose of the at least two further N. meningitidis polysaccharideconjugates.

The term “saccharide” includes polysaccharides or oligosaccharides.Polysaccharides are isolated from bacteria or isolated from bacteria andsized to some degree by known methods (see for example EP497524 andEP497525) and optionally by microfluidisation. Polysaccharides can besized in order to reduce viscosity in polysaccharide samples and/or toimprove filterability for conjugated products. Oligosaccharides arecharacterised by typically being hydrolysed polysaccharides with a lownumber of repeat units (typically 5-30 repeat units).

The mean dose is determined by adding the doses of all the furtherpolysaccharides and dividing by the number of further polysaccharides.Further polysaccharides are all the polysaccharides within theimmunogenic composition apart from Hib and can include N. meningitidiscapsular polysaccharides. The “dose” is in the amount of immunogeniccomposition or vaccine that is administered to a human.

A Hib saccharide is the polyribosyl phosphate (PRP) capsularpolysaccharide of Haemophilus influenzae type b or an oligosaccharidederived therefrom.

‘At least two further bacterial saccharide conjugates’ is to be taken tomean at least two further bacterial saccharide conjugates in addition toa Hib conjugate. The at least two further bacterial conjugates mayinclude N. meningitidis capsular polysaccharide conjugates.

The immunogenic compositions of the invention may comprise furthersaccharide conjugates derived from one or more of Neisseriameningitidis, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Group A Streptococci, Group BStreptococci, S. typhi, Staphylococcus aureus or Staphylococcusepidermidis. In an embodiment, the immunogenic composition comprisescapsular polysaccharides or oligosaccharides derived from one or more ofserogroups A, C, W135 and Y of Neisseria meningitidis. A furtherembodiment comprises capsular polysaccharides or oligosaccharidesderived from Streptococcus pneumoniae. The pneumococcal capsularpolysaccharide or oligosaccharide antigens are optionally selected fromserotypes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6A, 6B, 7F, 8, 9N, 9V, 10A, 11A, 12F, 14, 15B,17F, 18C, 19A, 19F, 20, 22F, 23F and 33F (optionally from serotypes 1,3, 4, 5, 6B, 7F, 9V, 14, 18C, 19F and 23F). A further embodimentcomprises the Type 5, Type 8 or 336 capsular polysaccharides oroligosaccharides of Staphylococcus aureus. A further embodimentcomprises the Type I, Type II or Type III capsular polysaccharides ofStaphylococcus epidermidis. A further embodiment comprises the Visaccharide (poly or oligosaccharide) from S. typhi. A further embodimentcomprises the Type Ia, Type Ic, Type II, Type III or Type V capsularpolysaccharides or oligosaccharides of Group B streptocoocus. A furtherembodiment comprises the capsular polysaccharides or oligosaccharides ofGroup A streptococcus, optionally further comprising at least one Mprotein and optionally multiple types of M protein.

In an embodiments, the immunogenic composition of the invention containseach N. meningitidis capsular polysaccharide at a dose of between 0.1-20μg; 1-10 μg; 2-10 μg, 2.5-5 μg, around or exactly 5 μg; or around orexactly 2.5 μg.

In an embodiment, the immunogenic composition of the invention forexample contains the Hib saccharide conjugate at a saccharide dosebetween 0.1 and 9 μg; 1 and 5 μg or 2 and 3 μg or around or exactly 2.5μg and each of the N. meningitidis polysaccharide conjugates at asaccharide dose of between 2 and 20 μg, 3 and 10 μg, or between 4 and 7μg or around or exactly 5 μg.

“Around” or “approximately” are defined as within 10% more or less ofthe given figure for the purposes of the invention.

In an embodiment, the immunogenic composition of the invention containsa saccharide dose of the Hib saccharide conjugate which is for exampleless than 90%, 80%, 75%, 70%, 60%, 50%, 40%, 30%, 20% or 10% of the meansaccharide dose of at least two, three, four or each of the N.meningitidis polysaccharide conjugates. The saccharide dose of the Hibsaccharide is for example between 20% and 60%, 30% and 60%, 40% and 60%or around or exactly 50% of the mean saccharide dose of at least two,three, four or each of the N. meningitidis polysaccharide conjugates.

In an embodiment, the immunogenic composition of the invention containsa saccharide dose of the Hib saccharide conjugate which is for exampleless than 90%, 80%, 75%, 70%, 60%, 50%, 40%, 30%, 20% or 10% of thelowest saccharide dose of the at least two, three, four or each of theN. meningitidis polysaccharide conjugates. The saccharide dose of theHib saccharide is for example between 20% and 60%, 30% and 60%, 40% and60% or around or exactly 50% of the lowest saccharide dose of the atleast two, three, four or each of the N. meningitidis polysaccharideconjugates.

In an embodiment of the invention, the saccharide dose of each of the atleast two, three, four or each of the N. meningitidis polysaccharideconjugates is optionally the same, or approximately the same.

Examples of immunogenic compositions of the invention are compositionsconsisting of or comprising:

-   -   Hib conjugate and MenA conjugate and MenC conjugate, optionally        at saccharide dose ratios of 1:2:2, 1:2:1, 1:4:2, 1:6:3, 1:3:3,        1:4:4, 1:5:5, 1:6:6 (w/w). Optionally, the saccharide dose of        MenA is greater than the saccharide dose of MenC.    -   Hib conjugate and MenC conjugate and MenY conjugate, optionally        at saccharide dose ratios of 1:2:2, 1:2:1, 1:4:2, 1:4:1, 1:8:4,        1:6:3, 1:3:3, 1:4:4, 1:5:5, 1:6:6 (w/w). Optionally, the        saccharide dose of MenC is greater than the saccharide dose of        MenY.    -   Hib conjugate and MenC conjugate and MenW conjugate, optionally        at saccharide dose ratios of 1:2:2, 1:2:1, 1:4:2, 1:4:1, 1:8:4,        1:6:3, 1:3:3, 1:4:4, 1:5:5, 1:6:6 (w/w). Optionally the        saccharide dose of MenC is greater than the saccharide dose of        MenW.    -   Hib conjugate and MenA conjugate and MenW conjugate, optionally        at saccharide dose ratios of 1:2:2, 1:2:1, 1:4:2, 1:4:1, 1:8:4,        1:6:3, 1:3:3, 1:4:4, 1:5:5, 1:6:6 (w/w). Optionally, the        saccharide dose of MenA is greater than the saccharide dose of        MenW.    -   Hib conjugate and MenA conjugate and MenY conjugate, optionally        at saccharide dose ratios of 1:2:2, 1:2:1, 1:4:2, 1:4:1, 1:8:4,        1:6:3, 1:3:3, 1:4:4, 1:5:5, 1:6:6 (w/w). Optionally the        saccharide dose of MenA is greater than the saccharide dose of        MenY.    -   Hib conjugate and MenW conjugate and MenY conjugate, optionally        at saccharide dose ratios of 1:2:2, 1:2:1, 1:1:2, 1:4:2, 1:2:4,        1:4:1, 1:1:4, 1:3:6, 1:1:3, 1:6:3, 1:3:3, 1:4:4, 1:5:5, 1:6:6        (w/w). Optionally the saccharide dose of MenY is greater than        the saccharide dose of MenW.    -   MenA, MenC, MenW and MenY at saccharide dose ratios of 1:1:1:1        or 2:1:1:1 or 1:2:1:1 or 2:2:1:1 or 1:3:1:1 or 1:4:1:1 (w/w).

A further aspect of the invention is a vaccine comprising theimmunogenic composition of the invention and a pharmaceuticallyacceptable excipient.

In an embodiment, the immunogenic composition of the invention isbuffered at, or adjusted to, between pH 7.0 and 8.0, pH 7.2 and 7.6 oraround or exactly pH 7.4.

The immunogenic composition or vaccines of the invention are optionallylyophilised in the presence of a stabilising agent for example a polyolsuch as sucrose or trehalose.

Optionally, the immunogenic composition or vaccine of the inventioncontains an amount of an adjuvant sufficient to enhance the immuneresponse to the immunogen. Suitable adjuvants include, but are notlimited to, aluminium salts (aluminium phosphate or aluminiumhydroxide), squalene mixtures (SAF-1), muramyl peptide, saponinderivatives, mycobacterium cell wall preparations, monophosphoryl lipidA, mycolic acid derivatives, non-ionic block copolymer surfactants, QuilA, cholera toxin B subunit, polyphosphazene and derivatives, andimmunostimulating complexes (ISCOMs) such as those described byTakahashi et al. (1990) Nature 344:873-875.

For the N. meningitidis or HibMen combinations discussed above, it maybe advantageous not to use any aluminium salt adjuvant or any adjuvantat all.

As with all immunogenic compositions or vaccines, the immunologicallyeffective amounts of the immunogens must be determined empirically.Factors to be considered include the immunogenicity, whether or not theimmunogen will be complexed with or covalently attached to an adjuvantor carrier protein or other carrier, route of administrations and thenumber of immunising dosages to be administered. Such factors are knownin the vaccine art and it is well within the skill of immunologists tomake such determinations without undue experimentation.

The active agent can be present in varying concentrations in thepharmaceutical composition or vaccine of the invention. Typically, theminimum concentration of the substance is an amount necessary to achieveits intended use, while the maximum concentration is the maximum amountthat will remain in solution or homogeneously suspended within theinitial mixture. For instance, the minimum amount of a therapeutic agentis optionally one which will provide a single therapeutically effectivedosage. For bioactive substances, the minimum concentration is an amountnecessary for bioactivity upon reconstitution and the maximumconcentration is at the point at which a homogeneous suspension cannotbe maintained. In the case of single-dosed units, the amount is that ofa single therapeutic application. Generally, it is expected that eachdose will comprise 1-100 μg of protein antigen, optionally 5-50 μg or5-25 μg. Examples of doses of bacterial saccharides are 10-20 μg, 5-10μg, 2.5-5 μg or 1-2.5 μg. The preferred amount of the substance variesfrom substance to substance but is easily determinable by one of skillin the art.

The vaccine preparations of the present invention may be used to protector treat a mammal (for example a human patient) susceptible toinfection, by means of administering said vaccine via systemic ormucosal route. A human patient is optionally an infant (under 12months), a toddler (12-24, 12-16 or 12-14 months), a child (2-10, 3-8 or3-5 years) an adolescent (12-25, 14-21 or 15-19 years) or an adult (anyage over 12, 15, 18 or 21). These administrations may include injectionvia the intramuscular, intraperitoneal, intradermal or subcutaneousroutes; or via mucosal administration to the oral/alimentary,respiratory, genitourinary tracts. Intranasal administration of vaccinesfor the treatment of pneumonia or otitis media is preferred (asnasopharyngeal carriage of pneumococci can be more effectivelyprevented, thus attenuating infection at its earliest stage). Althoughthe vaccine of the invention may be administered as a single dose,components thereof may also be co-administered together at the same timeor at different times (for instance if saccharides are present in avaccine these could be administered separately at the same time or 1-2weeks after the administration of a bacterial protein vaccine foroptimal coordination of the immune responses with respect to eachother). In addition to a single route of administration, 2 differentroutes of administration may be used. For example, viral antigens may beadministered ID (intradermal), whilst bacterial proteins may beadministered IM (intramuscular) or IN (intranasal). If saccharides arepresent, they may be administered IM (or ID) and bacterial proteins maybe administered IN (or ID). In addition, the vaccines of the inventionmay be administered IM for priming doses and IN for booster doses.

Vaccine preparation is generally described in Vaccine Design (“Thesubunit and adjuvant approach” (eds Powell M. F. & Newman M. J.) (1995)Plenum Press New York). Encapsulation within liposomes is described byFullerton, U.S. Pat. No. 4,235,877.

A further aspect of the invention is a vaccine kit for concomitant orsequential administration comprising two multi-valent immunogeniccompositions for conferring protection in a host against disease causedby Bordetella pertussis, Clostridium tetani, Corynebacterium diphtheriaeand Neisseria meningitidis and optionally Haemophilus influenzae. Forexample, the kit optionally comprises a first container comprising oneor more of:

-   -   tetanus toxoid (TT),    -   diphtheria toxoid (DT), and    -   whole cell or acellular pertussis components

and a second container comprising either:

-   -   N. meningitidis capsular polysaccharides from at least one, two,        three or four of serogroups A, C, W and Y conjugated to a        carrier protein, wherein the average size of each N.        meningitidis polysaccharide is above 50 kDa, 75 kDa, 100 kDa,        110 kDa, 120 kDa or 130 kDa, optionally lyophilised.

or

-   -   Hib saccharide conjugate, and    -   N. meningitidis capsular polysaccharides from at least one, two,        three or four of serogroups A, C, W and Y conjugated to a        carrier protein, wherein the average size of each N.        meningitidis polysaccharide is above 50 kDa, 75 kDa, 100 kDa,        110 kDa, 120 kDa or 130 kDa, optionally lyophilised.

Formulation examples of the Hib conjugate and the N. meningitidispolysaccharide conjugates are as described above.

A further aspect of the invention is a vaccine kit for concomitant orsequential administration comprising two multi-valent immunogeniccompositions for conferring protection in a host against disease causedby Streptococcus pneumoniae and Neisseria meningitidis and optionallyHaemophilus influenzae. For example, the kit optionally comprises afirst container comprising:

-   -   one or more conjugates of a carrier protein and a capsular        saccharide from Streptococcus pneumoniae [where the capsular        saccharide is optionally from a pneumococcal serotype selected        from the group consisting of 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6A, 6B, 7F, 8, 9N,        9V, 10A, 11A, 12F, 14, 15B, 17F, 18C, 19A, 19F, 20, 22F, 23F and        33F].

and a second container comprising either:

-   -   N. meningitidis capsular polysaccharides from at least one, two,        three or four of serogroups A, C, W and Y conjugated to a        carrier protein, wherein the average size of each N.        meningitidis polysaccharide is above 50 kDa, 75 kDa, 100 kDa,        110 kDa, 120 kDa or 130 kDa, optionally lyophilised.

or

-   -   Hib saccharide conjugate, and    -   N. meningitidis capsular polysaccharides from at least one, two,        three or four of serogroups A, C, W and Y conjugated to a        carrier protein, wherein the average size of each N.        meningitidis polysaccharide is above 50 kDa, 75 kDa, 100 kDa,        110 kDa, 120 kDa or 130 kDa, optionally lyophilised.

Examples of the Hib conjugate and the N. meningitidis polysaccharideconjugates are as described above.

Typically the Streptococcus pneumoniae vaccine in the vaccine kit of thepresent invention will comprise saccharide antigens (optionallyconjugated), wherein the polysaccharides are derived from at least fourserotypes of pneumococcus chosen from the group consisting of 1, 2, 3,4, 5, 6A, 6B, 7F, 8, 9N, 9V, 10A, 11A, 12F, 14, 15B, 17F, 18C, 19A, 19F,20, 22F, 23F and 33F. Optionally the four serotypes include 6B, 14, 19Fand 23F. Optionally, at least 7 serotypes are included in thecomposition, for example those derived from serotypes 4, 6B, 9V, 14,18C, 19F, and 23F. Optionally more than 7 serotypes are included in thecomposition, for instance at least 10, 11, 12, 13 or 14 serotypes. Forexample the composition in one embodiment includes 11 capsularpolysaccharides derived from serotypes 1, 3, 4, 5, 6B, 7F, 9V, 14, 18C,19F and 23F (optionally conjugated). In an embodiment of the inventionat least 13 polysaccharide antigens (optionally conjugated) areincluded, although further polysaccharide antigens, for example 23valent (such as serotypes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6B, 7F, 8, 9N, 9V, 10A, 11A,12F, 14, 15B, 17F, 18C, 19A, 19F, 20, 22F, 23F and 33F), are alsocontemplated by the invention.

The pneumococcal saccharides are independently conjugated to any knowncarrier protein, for example CRM197, tetanus toxoid, diphtheria toxoid,protein D or any other carrier proteins as mentioned above.

Optionally, the vaccine kits of the invention comprise a thirdcomponent. For example, the kit optionally comprises a first containercomprising one or more of:

-   -   tetanus toxoid (TT),    -   diphtheria toxoid (DT), and    -   whole cell or acellular pertussis components

and a second container comprising:

-   -   one or more conjugates of a carrier protein and a capsular        saccharide from Streptococcus pneumoniae [where the capsular        saccharide is optionally from a pneumococcal serotype selected        from the group consisting of 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6A, 6B, 7F, 8, 9N,        9V, 10A, 11A, 12F, 14, 15B, 17F, 18C, 19A, 19F, 20, 22F, 23F and        33F].

and a third container comprising:

-   -   N. meningitidis capsular polysaccharides from at least one, two,        three or four of serogroups A, C, W and Y conjugated to a        carrier protein, wherein the average size of each N.        meningitidis polysaccharide is above 50 kDa, 75 kDa, 100 kDa,        110 kDa, 120 kDa or 130 kDa, optionally lyophillised.

or

-   -   Hib saccharide conjugate, and    -   N. meningitidis capsular polysaccharides from at least one, two,        three or four of serogroups A, C, W and Y conjugated to a        carrier protein, wherein the average size of each N.        meningitidis polysaccharide is above 50 kDa, 75 kDa, 100 kDa,        110 kDa, 120 kDa or 130 kDa, optionally lyophilised.

Immunogenic compositions comprising meningococcal conjugates, forexample HibMenC, HibMenAC, HibMenAW, HibMenAY, HibMenCW, HibMenCY,HibMenWY, MenAC, MenAW, MenAY, MenCW, MenCY, MenWY or MenACWY, includingkits of similar composition to those described above, optionallycomprise antigens from measles and/or mumps and/or rubella and/orvaricella. For example, the meningococcal immunogenic compositioncontains antigens from measles, mumps and rubella or measles, mumps,rubella and varicella. In an embodiment, these viral antigens areoptionally present in the same container as the meningococcal and/or Hibsaccharide conjugate(s). In an embodiment, these viral antigens arelyophilised.

A further aspect of the invention is a process for making theimmunogenic composition of the invention, comprising the step of mixingN. meningitidis capsular polysaccharides from at least one, two or threeof serogroups A, C, W and Y conjugated to a carrier protein with abacterial saccharide conjugate, wherein the average size of each N.meningitidis polysaccharide is above 50 kDa, 75 kDa, 100 kDa, 110 kDa,120 kDa or 130 kDa.

Vaccine preparation is generally described in Vaccine Design (“Thesubunit and adjuvant approach” (eds Powell M. F. & Newman M. J.) (1995)Plenum Press New York). Encapsulation within liposomes is described byFullerton, U.S. Pat. No. 4,235,877.

A further aspect of the invention is a method of immunising a human hostagainst disease caused by N. meningitidis and optionally Haemophilusinfluenzae infection comprising administering to the host animmunoprotective dose of the immunogenic composition or vaccine or kitof the invention.

A further aspect of the invention is an immunogenic composition of theinvention for use in the treatment or prevention of disease caused by N.meningitidis and optionally Haemophilus influenzae infection.

A further aspect of the invention is use of the immunogenic compositionor vaccine or kit of the invention in the manufacture of a medicamentfor the treatment or prevention of diseases caused by N. meningitidisand optionally Haemophilus influenzae infection.

The terms “comprising”, “comprise” and “comprises” herein are intendedby the inventors to be optionally substitutable with the terms“consisting of”, “consist of” and “consists of”, respectively, in everyinstance.

All references or patent applications cited within this patentspecification are incorporated by reference herein.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying examples. The examplesbelow are carried out using standard techniques, which are well knownand routine to those of skill in the art, except where otherwisedescribed in detail. The examples are illustrative, but do not limit theinvention.

EXAMPLES Example 1 Preparation of Polysaccharide Conjugates

The covalent binding of Haemophilus influenzae (Hib) PRP polysaccharideto TT was carried out by a coupling chemistry developed by Chu et al(Infection and Immunity 1983, 40 (1); 245-256). Hib PRP polysaccharidewas activated by adding CNBr and incubating at pH10.5 for 6 minutes. ThepH was lowered to pH8.75 and adipic acid dihyrazide (ADH) was added andincubation continued for a further 90 minutes. The activated PRP wascoupled to purified tetanus toxoid via carbodiimide condensation using1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethyl-aminopropyl)carbodiimide (EDAC). EDAC was added tothe activated PRP to reach a final ratio of 0.6 mg EDAC/mg activatedPRP. The pH was adjusted to 5.0 and purified tetanus toxoid was added toreach 2 mg TT/mg activated PRP. The resulting solution was left forthree days with mild stirring. After filtration through a 0.45 μmmembrane, the conjugate was purified on a sephacryl S500HR (Pharmacia,Sweden) column equilibrated in 0.2M NaCl.

MenC-TT conjugates were produced using native polysaccharides (of over150 kDa as measured by MALLS). MenA-TT conjugates were produced usingeither native polysaccharide or slightly microfluidised polysaccharideof over 60 kDa as measured by the MALLS method of example 2. MenW andMenY-TT conjugates were produced using sized polysaccharides of around100-200 kDa as measured by MALLS (see example 2). Sizing was bymicrofluidisation using a homogenizer Emulsiflex C-50 apparatus. Thepolysaccharides were then filtered through a 0.2 μm filter.

Activation and coupling were performed as described in WO96/29094 and WO00/56360. Briefly, the polysaccharide at a concentration of 10-20 mg/mlin 2M NaCl pH 5.5-6.0 was mixed with CDAPsolution (100 mg/ml freshlyprepared in acetonitrile/WFI, 50/50) to a final CDAP/polysaccharideratio of 0.75/1 or 1.5/1. After 1.5 minutes, the pH was raised withsodium hydroxide to pH10.0. After three minutes tetanus toxoid was addedto reach a protein/polysaccharide ratio of 1.5/1 for MenW, 1.2/1 forMenY, 1.5/1 for MenA or 1.5/1 for MenC. The reaction continued for oneto two hours.

After the coupling step, glycine was added to a final ratio ofglycine/PS (w/w) of 7.5/1 and the pH was adjusted to pH9.0. The mixturewas left for 30 minutes. The conjugate was clarified using a 10 μmKleenpak filter and was then loaded onto a Sephacryl S400HR column usingan elution buffer of 150 mM NaCl, 10 mM or 5 mM Tris pH7.5. Clinicallots were filtered on an Opticap 4 sterilizing membrane. The resultantconjugates had an average polysaccharide:protein ratio of 1:1-1:5 (w/w).

In order to conjugate MenA capsular polysaccharide to tetanus toxoid viaa spacer, the following method was used. The covalent binding of thepolysaccharide and the spacer (ADH) is carried out by a couplingchemistry by which the polysaccharide is activated under controlledconditions by a cyanylating agent, 1-cyano-4-dimethylamino-pyridiniumtetrafluoroborate (CDAP). The spacer reacts with the cyanylated PSthrough its hydrazino groups, to form a stable isourea link between thespacer and the polysaccharide.

A 10 mg/ml solution of MenA was treated with a freshly prepared 100mg/ml solution of CDAP in acetonitrile/water (50/50 (v/v)) to obtain aCDAP/MenA ratio of 0.75 (w/w). After 1.5 minutes, the pH was raised topH 10.0. Three minutes later, ADH was added to obtain an ADH/MenA ratioof 8.9. The pH of the solution was decreased to 8.75 and the reactionproceeded for 2 hours.

Prior to the conjugation reaction, the purified TT solution and the PSAsolution were diluted to reach a concentration of 10 mg/ml for PSA and10 mg/ml for TT.

EDAC was added to the PS_(AH) solution in order to reach a final ratioof 0.9 mg EDAC/mg PSA_(AH). The pH was adjusted to 5.0. The purifiedtetanus toxoid was added with a peristaltic pump (in 60 minutes) toreach 2 mg TT/mg PSA_(AH). The resulting solution was left 60 min at+25° C. under stirring to obtain a final coupling time of 120 min. Theconjugate was clarified using a 10 μm filter and was purified using aSephacryl S400HR column.

Example 2 Determination of Molecular Weight Using Malls

Detectors were coupled to a HPLC size exclusion column from which thesamples were eluted. On one hand, the laser light scattering detectormeasured the light intensities scattered at 16 angles by themacromolecular solution and on the other hand, an interferometricrefractometer placed on-line allowed the determination of the quantityof sample eluted. From these intensities, the size and shape of themacromolecules in solution can be determined.

The mean molecular weight in weight (M_(w)) is defined as the sum of theweights of all the species multiplied by their respective molecularweight and divided by the sum of weights of all the species.

-   -   a) Weight-average molecular weight: —Mw—

$M_{w} = {\frac{\sum{W_{i} \cdot M_{i}}}{\sum W_{i}} = \frac{m_{2}}{m_{1}}}$

-   -   b) Number-average molecular weight: —Mn—

$M_{n} = {\frac{\sum{N_{i} \cdot M_{i}}}{\sum N_{i}} = \frac{m_{1}}{m_{0}}}$

-   -   c) Root mean square radius: -Rw- and R²w is the square radius        defined by:

${R^{2}w\mspace{14mu}{or}\mspace{14mu}\left( r^{2} \right)w} = \frac{\sum{m_{i} \cdot r_{i}^{2}}}{\sum m_{i}}$

-   -   (-m_(i)- is the mass of a scattering centre i and -r_(i)- is the        distance between the scattering centre i and the center of        gravity of the macromolecule).    -   d) The polydispersity is defined as the ratio -Mw/Mn—.

Meningococcal polysaccharides were analysed by MALLS by loading onto twoHPLC columns (TSKG6000 and 5000PWxl) used in combination. 25 μl of thepolysaccharide were loaded onto the column and was eluted with 0.75 mlof filtered water. The polysaccharides are detected using a lightscattering detector (Wyatt Dawn DSP equipped with a 10 mW argon laser at488 nm) and an inferometric refractometer (Wyatt Otilab DSP equippedwith a P100 cell and a red filter at 498 nm).

The molecular weight polydispersities and recoveries of all samples werecalculated by the Debye method using a polynomial fit order of 1 in theAstra 4.72 software.

Example 3 Clinical Trial Comparing Immunisation with Meningitec or aLarger Sized Menc-TT Conjugate

A phase II, open, controlled study was carried out to compare GSKBiologicals meningococcal serogroup C conjugate vaccine (MenC) with GSKBiological's Haemophilus influenzae b-meningococcal serogroup Cconjugate vaccine (Hib-MenC) or Meningitec®. Each dose of Meningitec®contains 10 μg of meningococcal serogroup C oligosaccharide conjugatedto 15 μg of CRM197 and is produced by Wyeth. The GSK MenC conjugatescontained native polysaccharides of about 200 kDa conjugated to tetanustoxoid (TT).

The study consisted of five groups, each planned to contain 100subjects, allocated to two parallel arms as follows:

In this present study, all subjects in both arms received one-fifth (⅕)of a dose of Mencevax™ ACWY and a concomitant dose of Infanrix™ hexa at12-15 months of age (Study Month 0). Two blood samples were collectedfrom all subjects (Study Month 0 and Study Month 1). Arm 1 consisted offour groups from a primary vaccination study who were primed at theirage of 3, 4 and 5 months with the following vaccines:

-   -   Group K: MenC (10 μg), non-adsorbed onto aluminium salts        (non-ads), tetanus toxoid (TT) conjugate and Infanrix™ hexa        (MenC10-TT+Infanrix™ hexa)    -   Group L: Hib (10 μg)-MenC (10 μg), non-ads TT conjugate and        Infanrix™ penta (Hib10-MenC10-TT+Infanrix™ penta)    -   Group M: Hib (5 μg)-MenC (5 μg), non-ads, TT conjugate and        Infanrix™ penta (Hib5-MenC5-TT+Infanrix™ penta)    -   Group N: Meningitec™ and Infanrix™ hexa (Meningitec™+Infanrix™        hexa)

The two Hib-MenC-TT vaccine groups (Groups L and M) were kept blinded inthe booster study as to the exact formulation of the candidate vaccine.

Arm 2-(Group O) consisted of age-matched subjects not previouslyvaccinated with a meningococcal serogroup C vaccine (naïve) but who hadreceived routine pediatric vaccines according to the German PermanentCommission on Immunization.

Criteria for Evaluation:

Immunogenicity: Determination of bactericidal antibody titers againstmeningococcal C (SBA-MenC) by a bactericidal test (cut-off: a dilutionof 1:8) and ELISA measurement of antibodies against meningococcalserogroup C (assay cut-off: 0.3 μg/ml), the Hib polysaccharide PRP(assay cut-off: 0.15 μg/ml) and tetanus toxoid (assay cut-off: 0.1IU/ml) in blood samples obtained prior to vaccination and approximatelyone month after vaccination in all subjects.

Statistical Methods:

Demographics: Determination of mean age in months (with median, rangeand standard deviation [SD]), and racial and gender composition of theATP and Total vaccinated cohorts.

Immunogenicity:

Two analyses of immunogenicity were performed based on the ATP cohortfor immunogenicity (for analyses of immune memory and booster response)or the ATP cohort for safety (for analysis of persistence). Theseincluded:

Evaluation of immune memory for MenC and booster response for Hib andTetanus (before and one month after administration of ⅕ dose of theplain polysaccharide vaccine):

-   -   Determination of geometric mean titers and concentrations (GMTs        and GMCs) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI)    -   Determination of the percentage of subjects with antibody        titer/concentration above the proposed cutoffs with exact 95% CI        (seropositivity/seroprotection rates)    -   Investigation of antibody titers/concentration after vaccination        using reverse cumulative curves    -   Computation of standardized asymptotic 95% CI for the difference        in seropositivity/seroprotection rate    -   between the primed group (Groups K, L, M and N) and the unprimed        group (Group O)    -   Determination of the geometric mean of individual ratio of        SBA-MenC titer over anti-PSC concentration, with 95% CI    -   Determination of the 95% CI for the post-vaccination GMT/C ratio        between the groups K, L, M and the control group N for anti-PRP        and anti-tetanus and between each primed group (Groups K, L, M        and N) and the unprimed group (Group O) for SBA-MenC and        anti-PSC using an ANOVA model        Results

TABLE 1 SBA-MenC titres and anti-PSC antibody concentration afterbooster vaccination Antibody Group N GMT/C 95% CL LL 95% CL UL SBA-MenCK -MenC-TT 71 3508.9 2580.1 4772.2 L - HibMenC 79 2530.1 1831.7 3494.7M-HibMenC 81 5385.4 4425.0 6554.2 N -Meningitec 85 1552.6 1044.4 2307.9O - Control 91 9.3 6.3 13.6 Anti-PSC K -MenC-TT 70 28.10 22.59 34.95 L -HibMenC 71 30.01 24.09 37.38 M-HibMenC 76 34.58 29.10 41.09 N-Meningitec 78 16.59 12.98 21.21 O - Control 94 3.05 2.36 3.93

Group K: subjects primed with MenC10-TT+Infanrix. hexa; Group L:subjects primed with Hib10-MenC10-TT+Infanrix. penta; Group M: subjectsprimed with Hib5-MenC5-TT+Infanrix. penta; Group N: subjects primed withMeningitec.+Infanrix. hexa; Group O: control subjects (i.e. subjects notprimed with MenC conjugate vaccine)

N: number of subjects with available results

Higher titres of antibodies against MenC and higher SBA titres wereachieved by priming with the larger sized MenC polysaccharide conjugatevaccines (groups K, L and M) compared with the Meningitecoligosaccharide conjugate vaccine.

TABLE 2 Geometric mean ratio for SBA MenC titre/anti-PSC concentrationGroup Timing N GMR LL UL K Pre 70 49.470 34.939 70.044 Post 66 126.138101.419 156.882 L Pre 76 36.528 25.849 51.621 Post 70 90.200 70.153115.975 M Pre 77 51.298 36.478 72.139 Post 74 164.950 139.304 195.318 NPre 84 22.571 16.521 30.837 Post 76 90.168 67.757 119.991 O Pre 3 91.6340.651 12889.8 Post 87 2.708 1.767 4.149

In all four primed groups (Groups K, L, M and N), the GMR increasedsignificantly from pre to post booster vaccination indicating thepresence of antibody maturation and functionality. GMR in the Group M(primed with Hib5-MenC5-TT) was higher than in the Group N (primed withMeningitec™).

TABLE 3 Persistence at 12-15 months of age just prior to administrationof the booster vaccines Endpoints Group N % Group N % Difference Value %SBAMenC ≥ K 79 88.6 N 91 80.2 N − K −8.4 1:8 L 84 93.3 N 91 80.2 N − L−3.1 M 85 87.1 N 91 80.2 N − M −6.8 SBAMenC ≥ K 79 65.8 N 91 51.6 N − K−14.2 1:128 L 84 56.0 N 91 51.6 N − L −4.3 M 85 64.7 N 91 51.6 N − M−13.1 Anti-PSC ≥ K 79 100.0 N 91 100.0 N − K 0.0 0.3 μg/ml L 84 100.0 N91 100.0 N − L 0.0 M 88 98.9 N 91 100.0 N − M 1.1 Anti-PSC ≥ K 79 72.2 N91 81.3 N − K 9.2 2 μg/ml L 84 64.3 N 91 81.3 N − L 17.0 M 88 64.3 N 9181.3 N − M 8.6 Anti-PRP ≥ K 81 88.9 N 91 85.7 N − K −3.2 0.15 μg/ml L 8696.5 N 91 85.7 N − L −10.8 M 90 98.9 N 91 85.7 N − M −13.2 Anti-PRP ≥ K81 33.3 N 91 28.6 N − K −4.8 1 μg/ml L 86 55.8 N 91 28.6 N − L −27.2 M90 74.4 N 91 28.6 N − M −45.9 Anti-tetanus ≥ K 81 100.0 N 91 96.7 N − K−3.3 0.1 IU/ml L 86 100.0 N 91 96.7 N − L −3.3 M 90 100.0 N 91 96.7 N −M −3.3

Group K: subjects primed with MenC10-TT+Infanrix. hexa; Group L:subjects primed with Hib10-MenC10-TT+Infanrix. penta; Group M: subjectsprimed with Hib5-MenC5-TT+Infanrix. penta; Group N: subjects primed withMeningitec.+Infanrix. hexa;

N: number of subjects with available results

Higher SBA titres against MenC were achieved by priming with the largersize of MenC (groups K, L and M) compared to priming with theMenC-oligosaccharide conjugate Meningitec.

Immune Memory (ATP Cohort for Immunogenicity)

Administration of ⅕ dose of the plain polysaccharide ACWY vaccineelicited very high SBA-MenC titer in all four primed groups with98.7-100% and 97.5-100% of subjects primed with a candidate vaccineregimen exhibiting titers ≥1:8 and ≥1:128, respectively. In the groupprimed with the Meningitec™ regimen, there was a trend for a lowerpercentage of subjects with titers ≥1:128 (91.8%). In comparison, 17.6%of unprimed subjects had SBA MenC titers ≥1:8 and ≥1:128.

Example 4 Phase II Clinical Trial on Hibmenac-Tt Conjugate Vaccine Mixedwith DTPw-HEPB

Study design: Open, randomized (1:1:1:1:1), single centre study withfive groups. The five groups received the following vaccination regimenrespectively, at 6, 10 and 14 weeks of age.

-   -   Tritanrix.-HepB/Hib-MenAC 2.5 μg/2.5 μg/2.5 μg: henceforth        referred to as 2.5/2.5/2.5    -   Tritanrix.-HepB/Hib-MenAC 2.5 μg/5 μg/5 μg: henceforth referred        to as 2.5/5/5    -   Tritanrix.-HepB/Hib-MenAC 5 μg/5 μg/5 μg: henceforth referred to        as 5/5/5    -   Tritanrix.-HepB+Hiberix.: henceforth referred to as Hiberix    -   Tritanrix.-HepB/Hiberix.+Meningitec.: henceforth referred to as        Meningitec

Blood samples were taken at the time of the first vaccine dose (Pre) andone month after the third vaccine dose (Post-dose 3).

Tritanrix is a DTPw vaccine marketed by GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals S.A.

105 subjects were used in each of the five groups giving a total of 525subjects in the study.

TABLE 4 Content of GSK vaccine formulations Components per dose (0.5 ml)2.5/2.5/2.5* 2.5/5/5 5/5/5 Hib capsular polysaccharide PRP 2.5 μg 2.5 μg5 μg conjugated to tetanus toxoid (TT) Neisseria meningitidis A capsular2.5 μg 5 μg 5 μg polysaccharide (PSA) conjugated to TT Neisseriameningitidis C capsular 2.5 μg 5 μg 5 μg polysaccharide (PSC) conjugatedto TT *The 2.5/2.5/2.5 vaccine was a dose dilution of GSK Biologicals'Hib-MenAC 5/5/5 vaccine containing 2.5 μg of each of PRP-TT, MenA-TT andMenC-TT.

The Hib-MenAC vaccine formulations were mixed extemporaneously withTritanirix-HepB. GSK Biologicals' combined diphtheria-tetanus-whole cellBordetella pertussis-hepatitis B (DTPw-HB) vaccine (Tritanrix-HepB)contains not less than 30 International Units (IU) of diphtheria toxoid,not less than 60 IU of tetanus toxoid, not less than 4 IU of killedBordetella pertussis and 10 μg of recombinant hepatitis B surfaceantigen.

Reference Therapy, Dose, Mode of Administration, Lot No.:

Vaccination schedule/site: One group received Tritanrix.-HepB vaccineintramuscularly in the left thigh and Hiberix™ intramuscularly in theright thigh at 6, 10 and 14 weeks of age. Another group receivedTritanrix™-HepB/Hiberix™ vaccine intramuscularly in the left thigh andMeningitec vaccine intramuscularly in the right thigh at 6, 10 and 14weeks of age.

Vaccine/composition/dose/lot number: The Tritanrix™-HepB vaccine usedwas as described above.

One dose (0.5 ml) of GSK Biologicals' Haemophilus influenzae type bconjugate vaccine: Hiberix™ contained 10 μg of PRP conjugated to tetanustoxoid. In the Hiberix™ Group, it was mixed with sterile diluent and inthe Meningitec™ Group it was mixed with Tritanrix™-HepB.

One dose (0.5 ml) of Wyeth Lederle's MENINGITEC™ vaccine contained: 10μg of capsular oligosaccharide of meningococcal group C conjugated to 15μg of Corynebacterium diphtheria CRM197 protein and aluminium as salts.

Results—Immune Responses Generated Against Hib, MenA and MenC

TABLE 5a Anti - PRP (μg/ml) Group 2.5/2.5/2.5 2.5/5/5 5/5/5 Hiberix ™Meningitec ™ % 95% CL % 95% CL % 95% CL % 95% CL % 95% CL GMC/T LL ULGMC/T LL UL GMC/T LL UL GMC/T LL UL GMC/T LL UL % ≥ 0.15 100 96.5 10099.0 94.8 100 100 96.5 100 100 96.5 100 100 96.5 100 GMC 20.80 15.9627.10 22.62 17.72 28.88 19.36 15.33 24.46 38.55 29.93 49.64 10.94 8.6213.88

TABLE 5b SBA -MenC Group 2.5/2.5/2.5 2.5/5/5 5/5/5 Hiberix ™Meningitec ™ % 95% CL % 95% CL % 95% CL % 95% CL % 95% CL GMC/T LL ULGMC/T LL UL GMC/T LL UL GMC/T LL UL GMC/T LL UL % ≥ 1:8 99 94.7 100 10096.5 100 100 96.5 100 2.9 0.6 8.4 100 96.5 100 GMT 3132 2497 3930 42063409 5189 3697 3118 4384 4.7 3.9 5.6 4501 3904 5180

TABLE 5c SBA MenA Group 2.5/2.5/2.5 2.5/5/5 5/5/5 Hiberix ™ Meningitec ™% 95% CL % 95% CL % 95% CL % 95% CL % 95% CL GMC/T LL UL GMC/T LL ULGMC/T LL UL GMC/T LL UL GMC/T LL UL % ≥ 1:8 99.7 91.9 99.7 100 95.8 100100 96.2 100 6.8 2.5 14.3 9.1 4.0 17.1 GMT 316.7 251.4 398.9 418.5 358.6488.5 363 310.5 424.4 5.6 4.3 7.4 5.6 4.4 7.2

TABLE 5d Anti-PSC (□g/ml) Group 2.5/2.5/2.5 2.5/5/5 5/5/5 Hiberix ™Meningitec ™ % 95% CL % 95% CL % 95% CL % 95% CL % 95% CL GMC/T LL ULGMC/T LL UL GMC/T LL UL GMC/T LL UL GMC/T LL UL % ≥ 0.3 100 96.5 100 10096.4 100 100 96.5 100 8.2 3.6 15.6 100 96.5 100 GMC 49.03 43.24 55.5971.11 62.49 80.92 61.62 54.88 69.20 0.17 0.15 0.19 58.02 51.42 65.46

TABLE 5e Anti - PSA (□g/ml) Group 2.5/2.5/2.5 2.5/5/5 5/5/5 Hiberix ™Meningitec ™ % 95% CL % 95% CL % 95% CL % 95% CL % 95% CL GMC/T LL ULGMC/T LL UL GMC/T LL UL GMC/T LL UL GMC/T LL UL % ≥ 0.3 100 96.4 100 10096.5 100 99.0 94.8 100 1.0 0.0 5.4 5.9 2.2 12.5 GMC 18.10 15.34 21.3526.51 22.93 30.79 23.40 20.05 27.30 0.15 0.15 0.15 0.17 0.15 0.18Conclusion

A comparison of the immunogenicity results achieved using theoligosaccharide MenC-CRM197 conjugate vaccine and the three GSKformulations which contain polysaccharide MenA-TT and MenC-TT conjugatesshowed that the polysaccharide Men conjugates were able to elicit a goodimmunogenic response similar to that achieved using the oligosaccharideconjugate vaccine Meningitec. All formulations tested gave a response toMenC in 100% of patients.

Example 5 \Phase II Clinical Trial Administering Hib MenCY Concomitantlywith Infanrix Penta According to a 2, 3 and 4 Month Schedule

Study design: A Phase II, open (partially double-blind*) randomizedcontrolled multi-center study with 5 groups receiving a three-doseprimary schedule with vaccines as follows:

-   -   Group Hib-MenCY 2.5/5/5: Hib-MenCY (2.5/5/5)+Infanrix™ penta    -   Group Hib-MenCY 5/10/10: Hib-MenCY (5/10/10)+Infanrix™ penta    -   Group Hib-MenCY 5/5/5: Hib-MenCY (5/5/5)+Infanrix™ penta    -   Group Hib-MenC: Hib-MenC (5/5)+Infanrix™ penta    -   Group Menjugate: Menjugate™**+Infanrix™ hexa (control).    -   *Hib-MenCY 2.5/5/5, Hib-MenCY 5/10/10 and Hib-MenC were        administered in a double-blind manner while the Hib-MenCY 5/5/5        group and the Menjugate group were open. The 2.5/5/5, 5/10/10        and 5/5/5 formulations of Hib-MenCY contain MenC native        polysaccharides and MenY polysaccharides which are        microfluidized.    -   **Menjugate™ contains 10 μg of MenC oligosaccharides conjugated        to 12.5-25 μg of CRM197 per dose and is produced by Chiron.    -   Vaccination at +/−2, 3, 4 months of age (Study Month 0, Month 1        and Month 2), and blood samples (3.5 ml) from all subjects prior        to and one month post primary vaccination (Study Month 0 and        Month 3).

Study vaccine, dose, mode of administration, lot number: Three dosesinjected intramuscularly at one month intervals, at approximately 2, 3and 4 months of age as follows:

TABLE 6 Vaccines administered (study and control), group, schedule/siteand dose Vaccine dose Concomitant vaccine Schedule administeredadministered Group (months of age) Site- Left upper thigh Site Rightupper thigh Hib-MenCY 2.5/5/5 2, 3, and 4 Hib (2.5 μg)- MenC-TTDTPa-HBV-IPV (5 μg)-MenY-TT (5 μg) (Infanrix ™ penta) Hib-MenCY 5/10/102, 3, and 4 Hib (5 μg)-MenC-TT DTPa-HBV-IPV (10 μg)-MenY-TT (10 μg)(Infanrix ™ penta) Hib-MenCY 5/5/5 2, 3, and 4 Hib (5 μg)-MenC-TTDTPa-HBV-IPV (5 μg)-MenY-TT (5 μg) (Infanrix ™ penta) Hib-MenC 2, 3, and4 Hib (5 μg)-Men C (5 μg) DTPa-HBV-IPV (Infanrix ™ penta) Menjugate ™ 2,3, and 4 Menjugate ™ DTPa-HBV-IPV/Hib (Infanrix ™ hexa)

Immunogenicity: Measurement of antibody titres/concentrations againsteach vaccine antigen:

Prior to the first dose (Month 0) and approximately one month after thethird dose (Month 3) in all subjects for: SBA-MenC and SBA-MenY,anti-PSC and anti-PSY, anti-PRP, anti-T, anti-FHA, anti-PRN and anti-PT.Using serum bactericidal activity against N. meningitidis serogroups Cand Y (SBA-MenC and SBA-MenY cut-off: 1:8 and 1:128); ELISA assays withcut-offs: ≥0.3 μg/ml and ≥2 μg/ml for anti-N. meningitidis serogroups Cand Y polysaccharides (anti-PSC IgG and anti-PSY IgG); ≥0.15 μg/ml and≥1.0 μg/ml for Hib polysaccharide polyribosil-ribitol-phosphate(anti-PRP IgG); 5 EL.U/ml for anti-FHA, anti-PRN, anti-PT; ≥0.1 IU/mlanti-tetanus toxoid (anti-TT). Only at one month after the third dose(Month 3) in all subjects for: anti-D, anti-HBs and anti-polio 1, 2 and3. Using ELISA assays with cut-offs: 0.1 IU/ml for anti-diphtheria(anti-D); ≥10 mIU/ml for antihepatitis B (anti-HBs); andmicroneutralization test cut-off: 1:8 for anti-polio type 1, 2 and 3(anti-polio 1, 2 and 3).

Statistical methods:

The seroprotection/seropositivity rates and geometric meanconcentrations/titres (GMCs/GMTs) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI)were computed per group, for SBA-MenC, anti-PSC, SBA-MenY, anti-PSY,anti-PRP, anti-Tetanus, anti-PT, anti-FHA and anti-PRN prior to and onemonth after vaccination; for anti-Diphtheria, anti-HBs, anti-Polio 1,anti-Polio 2 and anti-Polio 3 one month after vaccination. Vaccineresponse (appearance of antibodies in subjects initially seronegative orat least maintenance of antibody concentrations in subjects initiallyseropositive) with 95% CI for anti-PT, anti-PRN and anti-FHA were alsocomputed one month after vaccination. Reverse cumulative curves for eachantibody at Month 3 are also presented. The differences between theHib-MenCY and the Hib-MenC groups, compared with the Menjugate™ controlgroup were evaluated in an exploratory manner for each antibody, exceptfor SBA-MenY and anti-PSY, in terms of (1) the difference between theMenjugate™ group (minus) the Hib-MenCY and Hib-MenC groups for thepercentage of subjects above the specified cut-offs or with a vaccineresponse with their standardized asymptotic 95% CI, (2) the GMC or GMTratios of the Menjugate™ group over the Hib-MenCY and Hib-MenC groupswith their 95% CI. The same comparisons were done to evaluate thedifference between each pair of Hib-MenCY formulations for anti-PRP,SBA-MenC, anti-PSC, SBA-MenY, anti-PSY and anti-TT antibodies.

Seroprotection/Seropositivity Rates &GMC/Ts (ATP Cohort forImmunogenicity)

TABLE 7a Anti - PRP (μg/ml) Group N % ≥ 0.15 LL UL ≥1 LL UL GMC LL ULHib MenCY 2.5/5/5 67 100.0 94.6 100.0 98.5 92.0 100.0 9.01 7.25 11.21Hib MenCY 5/10/10 67 100.0 94.6 100.0 98.5 92.0 100.0 9.49 7.72 11.65Hib MenCY 5/5/5 70 100.0 94.9 100.0 98.6 92.3 100.0 8.08 6.53 9.98 HibMenC 74 100.0 95.1 100.0 98.6 92.7 100.0 10.44 8.49 12.83 Menjugate ™ 71100.0 94.9 100.0 80.3 69.1 88.8 2.60 1.97 3.43

TABLE 7b SBA -MenC (Titre) Group N % ≥ 1:8 LL UL ≥1:128 LL UL GMT LL ULHib MenCY 2.5/5/5 70 100.0 94.9 100.0 95.7 88.0 99.1 1005.8 773.5 1308.0Hib MenCY 5/10/10 67 100.0 94.6 100.0 94.0 85.4 98.3 1029.8 799.7 1326.0Hib MenCY 5/5/5 71 100.0 94.9 100.0 94.4 86.2 98.4 906.9 691.3 1189.8Hib MenC 74 100.0 95.1 100.0 95.9 88.6 99.2 871.0 677.3 1120.0Menjugate ™ 71 100.0 94.9 100.0 100.0 94.9 100.0 3557.6 2978.8 4248.8

TABLE 7c Anti-PSC (μg/ml) Group N % ≥ 0.3 LL UL ≥2 LL UL GMC LL UL HibMenCY 2.5/5/5 69 100.0 94.8 100.0 100.0 94.8 100.0 21.70 18.36 25.65 HibMenCY 5/10/10 66 100.0 94.6 100.0 100.0 94.6 100.0 27.26 23.26 31.95 HibMenCY 5/5/5 70 100.0 94.9 100.0 100.0 94.9 100.0 19.02 16.49 21.93 HibMenC 74 100.0 95.1 100.0 100.0 95.1 100.0 21.08 18.24 24.35 Menjugate ™71 100.0 94.9 100.0 100.0 94.9 100.0 38.49 33.64 44.05

TABLE 7d SBA-MenY (Titre) Group N % ≥ 1:8 LL UL ≥1:128 LL UL GMT LL ULHib MenCY 2.5/5/5 69 97.1 89.9 99.6 92.8 83.9 97.6 470.7 351.1 631.2 HibMenCY 5/10/10 66 97.0 89.5 99.6 86.4 75.7 93.6 437.1 322.0 593.4.8 HibMenCY 5/5/5 71 98.6 92.4 100.0 95.8 88.1 99.1 635.3 501.5 804.8 Hib MenC74 21.6 12.9 32.7 13.5 6.7 23.5 9.3 6.3 13.7 Menjugate ™ 71 19.7 11.230.9 9.9 4.1 19.3 7.5 5.4 10.4

TABLE 7e Anti - PSY (μg/ml) Group N % ≥ 0.3 LL UL ≥2 LL UL GMC LL UL HibMenCY 2.5/5/5 69 100.0 94.8 100.0 100.0 94.8 100.0 26.86 22.86 31.56 HibMenCY 5/10/10 66 100.0 94.6 100.0 100.0 94.6 100.0 37.02 31.84 43.04 HibMenCY 5/5/5 70 100.0 94.9 100.0 100.0 94.9 100.0 23.57 19.94 27.86 HibMenC 74 8.1 3.0 16.8 4.1 0.8 11.4 0.19 0.15 0.25 Menjugate ™ 71 5.6 1.613.8 1.4 0.0 7.6 0.17 0.15 0.19

TABLE 7f Anti-tetanus (IU/ml) Group N % ≥ 0.1 LL UL GMC LL UL Hib MenCY2.5/5/5 68 100.0 94.7 100.0 3.06 2.63 3.55 Hib MenCY 5/10/10 67 100.094.6 100.0 3.25 2.88 3.68 Hib MenCY 5/5/5 70 100.0 94.9 100.0 2.97 2.593.41 Hib MenC 74 100.0 95.1 100.0 3.15 2.73 3.64 Menjugate ™ 71 100.094.9 100.0 1.66 1.39 1.97

-   -   Group Hib-MenCY 2.5/5/5: Hib-MenCY (2.5/5/5)+Infanrix™ penta    -   Group Hib-MenCY 5/10/10: Hib-MenCY (5/10/10)+Infanrix™ penta    -   Group Hib-MenCY 5/5/5: Hib-MenCY (5/5/5)+Infanrix™ penta    -   Group Hib-MenC: Hib-Men (5/5)+Infanrix™ hexa    -   Group Menjugate: Menjugate™+Infanrix™ penta    -   N=number of subjects with available results. %=percentage of        subjects with concentration/titre within the specified range    -   GMC/T: geometric mean concentration/titre 95% CI=95% confidence        interval; LL=Lower Limit; UL=Upper Limit        Conclusion

The MenC and Y polysaccharide conjugates produced a good immune responsein all subjects with 100% of subjects producing above 0.3 μg/mlresponses against MenC and MenY.

Example 6 Phase II Clinical Trial Comparing Three Formulations ofMENACWY-TT with Meningitec Menc-CRM197 Oligosaccharide-Conjugate Vaccine

This example reports a phase II, open (partially-blind), randomized,controlled dose-range study to evaluate the Immunogenicity of threedifferent formulations of GlaxoSmithKline Biological's meningococcalserogroups A, C, W-135, Y tetanus toxoid conjugate (MenACWY-TT) vaccinein comparison to a MenC oligosaccharide-CRM197 conjugate vaccine(Meningitec) when given as one dose to children aged 12-14 months.

The clinical trial was an open (partially double-blind*), controlled,multicentric study in which eligible subjects of 12-14 months wererandomized (1:1:1:1) to one of four parallel groups of 50 subjects toreceive a single primary dose at Visit 1 as follows:

-   -   Form 1T: MenACWY-TT at a dose of 2.5 μg of MenA polysaccharide        conjugated to tetanus toxoid (TT), 2.5 μg of MenC polysaccharide        conjugated to TT, 2.5 μg of MenW polysaccharide conjugated to TT        and 2.5 μg of MenY polysaccharide conjugated to TT.    -   Form 2T: MenACWY-TT at a dose of 5 μg of MenA polysaccharide        conjugated to TT, 5 μg of MenC polysaccharide conjugated to TT,        5 μg of MenW polysaccharide conjugated to TT and 5 μg of MenY        polysaccharide conjugated to TT.    -   Form 3T: MenACWY-TT at a dose of 2.5 μg of MenA polysaccharide        conjugated to TT, 10 μg of MenC polysaccharide conjugated to TT,        2.5 μg of MenW polysaccharide conjugated to TT and 2.5 μg of        MenY polysaccharide conjugated to TT.    -   Ctrl T: 10 μg MenC oligosaccharide conjugated to 12.5-25 μg        CRM197 (Meningitec™).    -   *The three different MenACWY-TT formulations were administered        in a double-blind manner.

Vaccination schedule/site: A single vaccine dose was administeredintramuscularly in the left deltoid at Visit 1 (Study Month 0) accordingto randomized assignment. All candidate vaccines were supplied as alyophilized pellet in a monodose vial (0.5 ml after reconstitution withthe supplied saline diluent).

Immunogenicity: Measurement of titers/concentrations of antibodiesagainst meningococcal vaccine antigen components in blood samplesobtained prior to the study vaccine dose (Month 0) and approximately onemonth after the study vaccine dose (Month 1) in all subjects.Determination of bactericidal antibody titers against N. meningitidisserogroups A, C, W-135 and Y (SBA-MenA, SBA-MenC, SBA-MenW and SBA-MenY)by a bactericidal test (assay cut-offs: a dilution of 1:8 and 1:128) andELISA measurement of antibodies against N. meningitidis serogroups A, C,W-135 and Y (anti-PSA, anti-PSC, anti-PSW and anti-PSY, assay cut-offs≥0.3 μg/ml and ≥2 μg/ml), and tetanus toxoid (anti-tetanus, assaycut-off 0.1 IU/ml).

Results

Antibody response in terms of the percentage of SBA-MenA, SBA-MenC,SBA-MenW and SBA-MenY responders one month after vaccination (theprimary endpoint) is shown in Table 8. A response is defined as greaterthan or equal to a 4-fold increase for seropositive subjects orseroconversion for seronegative subjects before vaccination.

TABLE 8 Vaccine responses for SBA antibody one month after vaccinationAntibody Group N % LL UL SBA-MenA Form 1T 42 61.9 45.6 76.4 Form 2T 3982.1 66.5 92.5 Form 3T 40 62.5 45.8 77.3 Meningitec ™ 36 11.1 3.1 26.1SBA-MenC Form 1T 46 97.8 88.5 99.9 Form 2T 43 100.0 91.8 100.0 Form 3T44 95.5 84.5 99.4 Meningitec ™ 49 91.8 80.4 97.7 SBA-MenW Form 1T 45100.0 92.1 100.0 Form 2T 43 97.7 87.7 99.9 Form 3T 45 100.0 92.1 100.0Meningitec ™ 46 15.2 6.3 28.9 SBA-MenY Form 1T 47 97.9 88.7 99.9 Form 2T44 88.6 75.4 96.2 Form 3T 45 93.3 81.7 98.6 Meningitec ™ 49 4.1 0.5 14.0

Table 9 shows the numbers of subjects achieving SBA titres over cutoffpoints of 1:8 and 1:128 as well as GMTs.

TABLE 9 Seropositivity rates and GMTs for SBA antibodies one month aftervaccination ≥1:8 ≥1:128 Group N % LL UL % LL UL GMT SBA- Form 1T 46 10092.3 100 100 92.3 100 1457.3 MenA Form2T 45 100 92.1 100 97.8 88.2 99.91776.9 Form3T 48 97.9 88.9 99.9 97.9 88.9 99.9 1339.5 Meningitec ™ 4151.2 35.1 67.1 43.9 28.5 60.3 42.8 SBA- Form 1T 47 97.9 88.7 99.9 78.764.3 89.3 281.3 MenC Form2T 45 100 92.1 100 84.4 70.5 93.5 428.6 Form3T47 95.7 85.5 99.5 85.1 71.7 93.8 478.4 Meningitec ™ 50 94.0 83.5 98.762.0 47.2 75.3 200.1 SBA- Form 1T 47 100 92.5 100 100 92.5 100 2529.1MenW Form2T 45 100 92.1 100 100 92.1 100 2501.6 Form3T 48 100 92.6 10097.9 88.9 99.9 2300.2 Meningitec ™ 48 27.1 15.3 41.8 6.3 1.3 17.2 9.4SBA- Form 1T 47 100 92.5 100 100 92.5 100 1987.4 MenY Form2T 45 100 92.1100 100 92.1 100 2464.8 Form3T 48 100 92.6 100 97.9 88.9 99.9 2033.7Meningitec ™ 49 49.0 34.4 63.7 28.6 16.6 43.3 25.0

Vaccination with all three formulations of the ACWY-TT polysaccharideconjugate led to good SBA responses against MenA, MenC, MenW and MenYwith 95-100% of subjects with titres greater than 1:8. In particular,the 5/5/5/5 and 2.5/10/2.5/2.5 formulations of the polysaccharideconjugates produced a higher response against MenC than theoligosaccharide Meningitic vaccine as seen by a higher proportion ofsubjects having a titre greater than 1:128 and the GMT readings.

TABLE 10 Seropositivity rates and GMCs for anti polysaccharideantibodies one month after vaccination ≥0.3 ≥2 μg/ml μg/ml GMC Group N %LL UL % LL UL μg/ml Anti- Form 1T 47 93.6 82.5 98.7 68.1 52.9 80.9 2.35MenA Form2T 45 100 92.1 100 64.4 48.8 78.1 3.11 Form3T 48 95.8 85.7 99.537.5 24.0 52.6 1.65 Meningitec ™ 50 10.0 3.3 21.8 2.0 0.1 10.6 0.18Anti- Form 1T 47 100 92.5 100 100 92.5 100 9.57 MenC Form2T 45 100 92.1100 100 92.1 100 12.53 Form3T 47 100 92.5 100 97.9 88.7 99.9 19.29Meningitec ™ 49 98.0 89.1 99.9 93.9 83.1 98.7 7.95 Anti- Form 1T 47 10092.5 100 80.9 66.7 90.9 4.56 MenW Form2T 45 100 92.1 100 93.3 81.7 98.66.83 Form3T 48 93.8 82.8 98.7 72.9 58.2 84.7 2.88 Meningitec ™ 50 0.00.0 7.1 0.0 0.0 7.1 0.15 Anti- Form 1T 47 100 92.5 100 97.9 88.7 99.98.90 MenY Form2T 45 100 92.1 100 100 92.1 100 12.78 Form3T 47 97.9 88.799.9 87.2 74.3 95.2 5.67 Meningitec ™ 50 2.0 0.1 10.6 0.0 0.0 7.1 0.15

All three formulations of the ACWY-TT polysaccharide conjugate vaccineproduced good immune responses against MenA, MenC, MenW and MenY withbetween 93% and 100% of subjects achieving titres greater than 0.3μg/ml. Higher GMC readings were achieved using the 5/5/5/5 and2/5/10/2.5/2.5 formulations of the ACWY-TT polysaccharide conjugatevaccine in comparison with Meningitec™.

Example 7 Comparison of Immunogenicity of Native and Sized MenYPolysaccharide Conjugates

Mice (female DBA/2 of 6-8 wk) received two injections, 2 weeks apart, ofPSY-TT by the subcutaneous route. Blood samples were taken 14 days afterthe second injection in order to perform anti-PSY ELISA and SBA usingS1975 menY strain. Per injection, mice received 1 μg of PSY-TT (lyonon-ads formulation).

The conjugates described in table 11 were used.

TABLE 11 Conjugates ENYTT012 ENYTT014 ENYTT015 bis PSY NO Yes (40cycles) Yes (20 cycles) microfluidisation TT/PS ratio 1/1 1/1 1/1Results

The results (FIGS. 1A-1B) show a trend towards higher immunogenicity forconjugates prepared using sized PSY. FIG. 1A shows the GMC resultsobtained in an ELISA for antisera raised against conjugates preparedfrom native MenY (ENYTT012), microfluidised MenY-40 cycles (ENYTT014)and microfluidised MenY-20 cycles (ENYTT015 bis). Higher GMCs wereobtained where the MenY-TT was prepared from microfluidised MenY.

Similar results were obtained when the antisera were assessed by SBAassay (FIG. 1B). Again the higher GMT values were achieved usingconjugates prepared from microfluidised MenY.

The invention claimed is:
 1. An immunogenic composition, comprising N.meningitidis capsular polysaccharides from serogroups A, C, W, and Y,wherein: the serogroup A capsular polysaccharide has an average size of300 kDa; the serogroup C capsular polysaccharide has an average size of200 kDa; the serogroup Y capsular polysaccharide has an average size of101-300 kDa; the serogroup W capsular polysaccharide has an average sizeof 101-300 kDa; and wherein each N. meningitidis capsular polysaccharideis a N. meningitidis capsular polysaccharide conjugate comprising a N.meningitidis capsular polysaccharide conjugated to a tetanus toxoidcarrier protein.
 2. The immunogenic composition of claim 1, wherein theserogroup Y capsular polysaccharide has an average size of 190-300 kDa;and the serogroup W capsular polysaccharide has an average size of190-300 kDa.
 3. An immunogenic composition, comprising N. meningitidiscapsular polysaccharides from serogroups A, C, W, and Y, wherein: eachof serogroups A, W, and Y capsular polysaccharide has an average size of101-300 kDa, the serogroup C capsular polysaccharide has an average sizeof 200 kDa, and wherein each N. meningitidis capsular polysaccharide isa N. meningitidis capsular polysaccharide conjugate comprising a N.meningitidis capsular polysaccharide conjugated to a tetanus toxoidcarrier protein.
 4. The immunogenic composition of claim 3, wherein theserogroup Y capsular polysaccharide has an average size of 190-300 kDa;and the serogroup W capsular polysaccharide has an average size of190-300 kDa.